Larkins in France

During
the early Middle Ages, many Irish religious went abroad to preach and found
monasteries. Saint Brieuc
founded the city that bears his name in Brittany.
During the Counter-Reformation,
Irish religious and political links with Europe became stronger. Leuven
in Belgium grew into an important centre of learning for Irish priests. The
Flight of the Earls,
in 1607, led much of the Gaelic nobility to flee the country, and after the wars
of the 17th century many others fled to Spain, France, Austria, and other
Catholic lands. The lords and their retainers and supporters joined the armies
of these countries, and were known as the Wild Geese.
They included
Michael Larkan of Portumna, Galway - aged 48; who enlisted in 1716; 1.71
meters tall, grey hair, blonde wig; Francis Nugent's Troop (Formerly Coghlan's)
in 1722. In the 1729 review, he was shown as having enlisted on 23 June 1716,
and to be in Francis Nugent's troop and still wearing his blond wig. Also
included was Denis Lorcan; aged 74 and a native of Kelleny Co. Galway; a
lieutenant in DuChala's Troop of the Condé cavalry regiment, where he served 36
years in that capacity; and previously 7 years as cornette in Sully; 2 years in
the Gendarmes Anglois, and 10 years as ensign in d'Albret's infantry regiment.
That's a total of 53 years of remarkable active service. Eventually, his great
infirmities made him unfit for service. He had married at Sens, and he died on
21st November 1735.